White balance adjusting device

ABSTRACT

A white balance adjusting device mounted in an electro-developing type camera in which an electro-developing recording medium, which electronically develops an image formed thereon, is used. A mask member, in which first and second color filters are provided, is disposed in front of an electro-developing recording medium. The electro-developing recording medium has a recording area, in which a color image is recorded, and a data area, in which optical information used for a white balance adjustment is recorded. The first color filter faces the recording area, and the second color filter faces the data area. In the camera body, a diffuser and a light leading member are provided at a position corresponding to the second color filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera using a recording medium inwhich an object image obtained through a photographing optical system iselectronically developed, and more particularly, to a device forperforming a white balance adjustment when the image recorded in therecording medium is read therefrom, or when the image is developed bythe recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationNo. 5-2280 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,156, there is known a photographicmaterial which is directly electronically developed so that thedeveloped visible image can be immediately obtained. In thisspecification, such a recording medium is referred to as anelectro-developing recording material, and an electronic still camerausing the electro-developing recording material is referred to as anelectro-developing type camera.

As a type of the electro-developing type camera which can take a colorimage, a construction, in which a single color image is obtained by asingle shutter release operation, can be designed. In this construction,a color filter having red, green, and blue filter elements is disposedin front of the electro-developing recording medium.

However, the illuminance of light radiated on the electro-developingrecording medium through each of the filter elements is not necessarilythe same due to the characteristics of the color filter, or thecharacteristics of the illumination light radiated onto the object to bephotographed. Therefore, it is necessary, for example, when reading theimage from the electro-developing recording medium, to perform a whitebalance adjustment. Accordingly, the electro-developing type camerashould be provided with a white balance sensor which detects the amountof energy of light of each of the color components, and a white balancesignal processing circuit which converts the output signal of the whitebalance sensor to color temperature information, and carries out thewhite balance adjustment based on the color temperature information.Thus, the electric circuit construction in the electro-developing typecamera should have a complex structure owing to the provision of avarious kinds of circuits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a whitebalance adjusting device by which an image having proper or naturalcolors is obtained, and to provide an electro-developing recordingmedium, which is suitable for the white balance adjusting device.

According to the present invention, there is provided anelectro-developing recording medium by which a color image formedthereon is electronically developed, the electro-developing recordingmedium comprising a recording area for recording the color image, and adata area for recording optical information corresponding to the amountof exposure of each of the predetermined color components included inthe color image, the data area being provided outside of the recordingarea.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a whitebalance adjusting device provided in an electro-developing type camerausing an electro-developing recording medium by which a color imageformed thereon is electronically developed, the electro-developingrecording medium having a recording area for recording the color image,and a data area for recording optical information corresponding to theamount of exposure of each of the predetermined color componentsincluded in the color image, the data area being provided outside of therecording area, the white balance adjusting device comprising a firstcolor filter, a second color filter, and a diffuser.

The first color filter is provided at a first position corresponding tothe recording area, and has color filter elements of the predeterminedcolor components. The second color filter is provided at a secondposition corresponding to the data area, and has color filter elementsof the predetermined color components. The diffuser is provided at aposition corresponding to the second color filter so that theilluminance of light led to the data area becomes uniform over the dataarea.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided awhite balance adjusting device provided in an electro-developing typecamera using an electro-developing recording medium by which a colorimage formed thereon is electronically developed, the white balanceadjusting device comprising a first radiating processor, a secondradiating processor, a colorimetry sensor, and a light amount controlprocessor.

The first radiating processor radiates a light having a first colortemperature onto the electro-developing recording medium. The secondradiating processor radiates a light having a second color temperature,which is different from the first color temperature, onto theelectro-developing recording medium. The colorimetry sensor senses acolor temperature of ambient light around an object which is to bephotographed by the electro-developing type camera. The light amountcontrol processor controls the amount of light radiated by the first andsecond radiating processors, in accordance with the color temperaturedetected by the colorimetry sensor, so that a white balance adjustmentfor the color image developed by the electro-developing recording mediumis performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood from the following description, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an electro-developing type camera towhich a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electro-developing type camera of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mechanism provided close to aportion where an electro-developing recording medium is disposed;

FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an arrangement of first and second colorfilters fixed in the mask member;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an arrangement of color filter elements of thefirst color filter;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an arrangement of color filter elements of thesecond color filter;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a structure of the electro-developingrecording medium;

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a photographing operation of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a program for performing the recordingoperation;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are flow charts of a program for performingthe reading operation;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the electro-developing type camera towhich a second embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a structure, which is provided close to aportion where the photographing optical system and theelectro-developing recording medium are provided in the secondembodiment, when viewing from a view-finder optical system;

FIG. 14 is a view showing the photographing optical system in the secondembodiment when viewing from the electro-developing recording medium;

FIG. 15 is an external view of the first and second illuminationmechanisms;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a positional relationship of the first andsecond illumination mechanisms to the other members;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an electronic flash device and a circuitfor controlling a radiating operation of the electronic flash device;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing connections amongst a photometrysensor, an integrating circuit, a comparator, and a D/A converter;

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing a photographing operation of thesecond embodiment;

FIGS. 20A through 20C are flow charts of a program for performing thephotographing operation;

FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between the color temperatureof the ambient light and differential color signals of an image recordedin the electro-developing recording medium;

FIG. 22 is a view showing a structure, which is provided closed to aportion where the photographing optical system and theelectro-developing recording medium are provided, when viewing from theview-finder optical system;

FIG. 23 is a view showing a positional relationship of the first andsecond illumination mechanisms and the other components; and

FIG. 24 is a view showing an external view of the first and secondillumination mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electro-developing type camera to whicha first embodiment according to the present invention is applied.

When viewing a camera body 11 from the front side, a photographingoptical system 12 including a photographing lens system and so on isprovided approximately at a center portion of the front surface of thecamera body 11, and a white diffuser 13 is disposed thereon to the rightof and above the photographing optical system 12. A release switch 14 isprovided on the side opposite to the white diffuser 13.

A view finder 15 is provided at a center portion of the upper surface ofthe camera body 11. A scan start switch 16 is provided beside the viewfinder 15. An output terminal 17 is formed on a lower portion of a sidesurface of the camera body 11, so that an image signal obtained by thiscamera can be outputted to an external recording device. A slot (notshown), which is usually closed by a cover 18, is formed in the sidesurface of the camera body 11 so that an electro-developing recordingmedium can be inserted into the camera body 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electro-developing type camera, inwhich a system control circuit 20 including a microcomputer is mountedto control the electro-developing type camera as a whole.

The photographing optical system 12 has a plurality of lens groups andan aperture 12a. An electro-developing recording medium 30 is disposedbehind the photographing optical system 12, and a mask member 52, inwhich first and second color filters 53 and 54 are fitted, is disposedin front of the electro-developing recording medium 30. A quick returnmirror 21 is placed between the photographing optical system 12 and theelectro-developing recording medium 30. A shutter 22 is provided betweenthe quick return mirror 21 and the electro-developing recording medium30. Namely, the shutter 22 faces the first and second color filters 53and 54. A focusing glass 23a included in a view finder optical system 23is disposed above the quick return mirror 21.

The quick return mirror 21 and the shutter 22 are driven by a mirrordrive circuit 25 and a shutter drive circuit 26, respectively, which arecontrolled by an exposure control circuit 27. A photometry sensor 28,which performs a photometry measurement, is connected to the exposurecontrol circuit 27. The exposure control circuit 27 is operated inaccordance with a command signal outputted by the system control circuit20.

The quick return mirror 21 is usually set to a down position (aninclining position shown by the solid line in the drawing), so that alight beam passing through the photographing optical system 12 isdirected to the view-finder optical system 23 to form an object image onthe focusing glass 23a, and thus an object to be photographed can beobserved by the photographer through the finder optical system (notshown). When a photographing operation is carried out, the quick returnmirror 21 is rotated upwards by the mirror drive circuit 25 and set toan up position (a horizontal position shown by the broken line in thedrawing), so that the light beam is directed to the electro-developingrecording medium 30.

The shutter 22 is usually closed, but during a photographing operation,the shutter 22 is opened for a predetermined period by the shutter drivecircuit 26 under the control of the exposure control circuit 27, andthus, the light beam passing through the photographing optical system 12enters a light receiving surface of the electro-developing recordingmedium 30, to thereby form a two-dimensional image thereon.

The aperture 12a is a fixed aperture, that is, an opening having apredetermined diameter. This aperture diameter has been adjusted or madein such a manner that an illuminance of light, which is irradiated ontoa recording area 30a (see FIG. 4) of the electro-developing recordingmedium 30, through the photographing lens and from a light source ofpredetermined illuminance, is in accordance with an illuminance oflight, which is irradiated onto a data area 30b (see FIG. 4) through thediffuser 13 and via a light leading member 55 (see FIG. 4).

As described above, the electro-developing recording medium 30 isprovided with the recording area 30a and the data area 30b, which isprovided outside of the recording area 30a so that a light beam from thephotographing optical system 12 is not directed to the data area 30b. Byperforming a photographing operation, a color image is recorded in therecording area 30a through the first color filter 53. An electricvoltage is applied to the electro-developing recording medium 30 underthe control of a recording medium drive circuit 41. By exposing theelectro-developing recording medium 30 while applying this voltage, acolor image, which is formed by the photographing optical system 12, isdeveloped on the electro-developing recording medium 30 as a visibleimage. Note that the recording medium drive circuit 41 is operated inaccordance with a command signal outputted by the system control circuit20.

Also, by performing the photographing operation, optical information,which is data needed for a white balance adjustment, is formed in thedata area 30b of the electro-developing recording area 30 through thesecond color filter 54. The data area 30b has first, second, and thirdportions whose transmittances are changed in accordance with the amountof exposure to each of the components red (R), green (G), and blue (B),so that the information needed for the white balance adjustment isoptically recorded in the data area 30b. Note that the amount ofexposure is the amount of energy per unit time for each color component.

Thus, in the photographing operation, an object image is recorded in therecording area 30a, and the optical information needed for the whitebalance adjustment is recorded in the data area 30b. Note that, in theelectro-developing recording medium 30 used in this embodiment, thegreater the amount of exposure, the higher the level of transmittance.

The diffuser 13 operates in such a manner that the illuminance of lightled to the data area 30b is uniformly distributed over the data area30b. The light leading member 55, which is hollow object having a squaresection, is provided between the diffuser 13 and the shutter 22. Namely,light entering the diffuser 13 passes through the inside of the lightleading member 55, and is led to the data area 30b through the secondcolor filter 54.

The electro-developing recording medium 30 can be moved linearly by arecording medium moving mechanism 51, which is controlled by the systemcontrol circuit 20. Namely, in, a photographing operation, theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is still, and when the imagerecorded in the electro-developing recording medium 30 is read, theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is moved by the recording mediummoving mechanism 51. In this reading operation, the optical information(i.e. transmittance), which is formed in the data area 30b to performthe white balance adjustment, is read by a line sensor 44, and then, theimage formed in the recording area 30a is read by the line sensor 44.

For the reading operation, a light source 42, and first and secondscanner optical system 43a and 43b are provided besides the line sensor44. The light source 42 is composed of an LED (i.e. a photodiode), forexample, and the first and second scanner optical systems 43a and 43bare provided for forming an image on the line sensor 44. The lightsource 42 and the first scanner optical system 43a are disposed forwardof the electro-developing recording medium 30, i.e., the side of thephotographing optical system 12, and the second scanner optical system43b and the line sensor 44 are disposed aft of the electro-developingrecording medium 30. Namely, in the reading operation, the opticalinformation recorded in the data area 30b and the image recorded in therecording area 30a are illuminated by the light source 42 and the firstscanner optical system 43a, and are formed on the light receivingsurface of the line sensor 44 due to an operation of the second scanneroptical system 43b. Note that the line sensor 44 may be a onedimensional CCD sensor of 2000 pixels, for example.

ON and OFF control of the light source 42 is performed by a light sourcedrive circuit 45, and the control of the reading operation of pixelsignals generated in the line sensor 44 is carried out by a line sensordrive circuit 47. The circuits 45 and 47 are controlled by the systemcontrol circuit 20.

Pixel signals read out from the line sensor 44 are amplified by anamplifier 61, and converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter 62.The digital pixel signals are subjected to a shading correction, a gammacorrection, a gain control for a white balance adjustment describedabove and so on by an image processing circuit 63 under the control ofthe system control circuit 20, and then temporarily stored in a memory64. The memory 64 includes an EEPROM in which correction data for theshading correction is stored. The memory 64 has a storage capacity equalto one frame of pixel signals.

The pixel signals read from the memory 64 are inputted to an interfacecircuit 65 through the image processing circuit 63, so that the pixelsignals are subjected to a predetermined process such as a formatconversion, and can then be outputted to an external computer (notshown) through the output terminal 17. The pixel signals outputted fromthe image process circuit 63 are subjected to a predetermined processsuch as an image compression and a format conversion in a recordingdevice control circuit 66, so that the pixel signals can be recorded ona recording medium such as an IC memory card, for example, in an imagerecording device 67. The interface circuit 65 and the recording devicecontrol circuit 66 are operated in accordance with a command signaloutputted from the system control circuit 20.

The release switch 14 and the scan start switch 16 are connected to thesystem control circuit 20. A photographing operation and a readingoperation are performed by operating the release switch 14 and the scanstart switch 16, respectively. A display device 68 is connected to thesystem control circuit 20 to indicate various setting conditions of theelectro-developing type camera.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mechanism provided close to aportion where the electro-developing recording medium 30 is disposed.FIG. 4 is a view showing this mechanism when viewing from theview-finder optical system 23. The mask member 52 and the first andsecond color filters 53 and 54 are shown as sectional views.

The electro-developing recording medium 30 can be moved from a positionbehind the mask member 52 in a horizontal direction shown by reference(A) in FIG. 3, and is moved between the first and second scanner opticalsystems 43a and 43b in a reading operation. The first and second opticalsystems 43a and 43b, the light source 42, and the line sensor 44 areextended in a vertical direction, so that an image formed in theelectro-developing recording medium 30 can be read one line by one line.The light leading member 55 is extended in a direction vertical to thelight receiving surface of the electro-developing recording medium 30,i.e., a direction parallel to the optical axis L of the photographingoptical system 12.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of the first and second color filters 53 and54 fixed in the mask member 52. The first color filter 53 is disposed ata position corresponding to the recording area 30a of theelectro-developing recording medium 30, and has approximately the samedimensions as that of the recording area 30a. The second color filter 54is disposed at a position corresponding to the data area 30b of theelectro-developing recording medium 30, and has approximately the samedimensions as that of the data area 30b. Note that the proportionbetween the first and second color filters 53 and 54 as shown in FIG. 5is different from that of the actual device.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first color filter 53 has R-filter element andB-filter elements, which are arranged in a checkerboard arrangement aswell known. The pitch between each of the filter elements is equal to apitch of each of the pixels provided in the line sensor 44, and is equalto a pitch by which the electro-developing recording medium 30 is movedin the reading operation.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second color filter 54 has R-, G- and B-filterelements, which are arranged in a stripe extended in the same directionas the line sensor 44.

FIG. 8 shows a structure of the electro-developing recording medium 30,which is basically the same as an electro-developing recording mediumshown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-2280.

The electro-developing recording medium 30 has an electrostaticinformation recording medium 31 and an electric charge storage medium32. An electric voltage is applied thereto by an electric power source33. The electric power source 33 corresponds to the recording mediumdrive circuit 41, so that ON-OFF control of the electric power source 33is an operation in which the recording medium drive circuit 41 applies arecording medium activating signal (a voltage signal) to theelectro-developing recording medium 30.

The electrostatic information recording medium 31 is formed bylaminating a base plate 34, an electrode layer 35, an inorganic oxidematerial layer 36, and a photoconducting layer 37. The photoconductinglayer 37 is formed by laminating an electric charge generating layer 37aand an electric charge transferring layer 37b. The electric chargestorage medium 32 is formed by confining liquid crystal 40 between aliquid crystal supporting plate 38 and a liquid crystal electrode layer39. The electric charge transferring layer 37b of the photoconductinglayer 37 and the liquid crystal supporting plate 38 of the electriccharge storage medium 32 face each other with a small gap between them.

When the electric power source 33 is turned ON, an electric voltage isapplied between the electrode layer 35 and the liquid crystal electrodelayer 39, i.e., between the electrostatic information recording medium31 and the electric charge storage medium 32. When the electrostaticinformation recording medium 31 is exposed while the electric voltage isapplied, an electric charge is generated in the electrostaticinformation recording medium 31 in accordance with an image formedthereon. Since the intensity of the electric field applied to the liquidcrystal display 40 is changed in accordance with the electric charge,the image is indicated on the liquid crystal display 40 as a visibleimage, and thus, an object image is developed. Namely, the visible imageis generated in accordance with the electric charge.

The electric charge storage medium 32 is a liquid crystal display havinga memory-type liquid crystal, and thus, the developed visible image isheld therein even if the electric field is removed. The developedvisible image of the LCD can be erased by heating it, using a heatingdevice (not shown) to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the sameelectric charge storage medium 32 can be used repeatedly.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a recording operation in which an imageis recorded in the electro-developing recording medium 30, and a readingoperation in which the image is read therefrom. FIG. 10 is a flow chartof a program for performing the recording operation. FIGS. 11A, 11B,11C, and 11D are flow charts of a program for performing the readingoperation.

The program of the recording operation is started when the releaseswitch 14 is turned ON (reference S11 in FIG. 9). In Step 101, an outputsignal of the photometry sensor 28, i.e., the photometry value issensed, and in Step 102, an exposure calculation is started based on thephotometry value (reference S12 in FIG. 9). After a predetermined timehas passed since the release switch 14 has been turned ON, a recordingmedium activating signal is outputted (reference S13 in FIG. 9) in Step103, so that the electric power source 33 is turned ON, and thus, anelectric voltage is applied to the electrostatic information recordingmedium 31 and the electric charge keeping medium 32. When it isconfirmed in Step 104 that the exposure calculation has been completed(reference S14 in FIG. 9), then in Step 105 and the following Steps, therecording operation is carried out in accordance with the calculationresult.

In Step 105, the quick return mirror 21 is changed from the downcondition to the up condition (reference S16 in FIG. 9). When it isconfirmed in Step 106 that the quick return mirror 21 has been changedto the up condition, the shutter 22 is opened in Step 107 (reference S17in FIG. 9). When it is the exposure period determined by the exposurecalculation has passed and it is sensed in Step 108 that the exposurehas been completed, the shutter 22 is closed in Step 109 (reference S18in FIG. 9). By the completion of the closing operation of the shutter22, Step 110 is executed so that the quick return mirror 21 is changedto the down condition (reference S19 in FIG. 9). In Step 111, the outputof the recording medium activating signal is stopped (reference S21 inFIG. 9).

Namely, the recording medium activating signal is outputted at least forthe period while the shutter 22 is opened, and during this period, apredetermined voltage is applied to the electro-developing recordingmedium 30. Then, by exposing the electro-developing recording medium 30under the voltage applied condition, the object image is developed onthe electro-developing recording medium 30 as a visible object image.This visible object image is kept even if the output of the recordingmedium activating signal is stopped.

When it is confirmed in Step 112 that the quick return mirror 21 hasreturned to its initial position, the operation of the quick returnmirror 21 is stopped in Step 113, and thus the program of the recordingoperation ends.

The program of the reading operation is started by turning ON the scanstart switch 16 (reference S31 in FIG. 9). In Step 201, the light source42 is lit (reference S32), and then, in Step 202, an electric powersource for driving the line sensor 44 is turned ON (reference S33 inFIG. 9).

In Step 203, a counter "COUNT" is set to 1. In Step 204, a parameter"WB" is set to "R" when the counter "COUNT" has the value of 1, theparameter "WB" is set to "G" when the counter "COUNT" has the value of2, and the parameter "WB" is set to "B" when the counter "COUNT" has thevalue of 3. Namely, the value of the counter "COUNT" corresponds to theR, G, and B components which are used in the white balance adjustment.

In Step 205, a recording medium drive signal is outputted (referenceS34), so that a scan drive motor included in the recording medium movingmechanism 51 is rotated in a forward direction, and thus theelectric-developing recording medium 30 starts to move in the directionof the arrow A marked in FIG. 3. When it is confirmed in Step 207 thatthe data area 30b of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is setat a white balance information reading position, i.e., a positioncorresponding to the line sensor 44, the output of the recording mediumdrive signal is stopped in Step 208 (reference S35), and thus themovement of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is stopped. Thisstopping operation is controlled by counting pulse signals for rotatingthe scan drive motor. When Step 208 is executed for the first time, thecounter "COUNT" is 1, and thus, the electro-developing recording medium30 is stopped at a position where a portion, which is included in thedata area 30b and corresponds to the R-filter element of the secondcolor filter 54, faces the line sensor 44.

In Step 209, an exposure of the line sensor 44 is started, so that anaccumulation of an electric charge by the line sensor 44 is performed(reference S36 in FIG. 9). When it is confirmed in Step 210 that theexposure of the line sensor 44 has been completed (reference S37 in FIG.9), a reading operation of the line sensor 44 is started in Step 211(reference S38 in FIG. 9). Namely, pixel signals corresponding to theamount of exposure of the R component formed in the data area 30b areread from the line sensor 44. When it is confirmed in Step 212 thatpixel signals of one line have been outputted from the line sensor 44,the reading operation of the line sensor 44 is stopped in Step 213(reference S39 in FIG. 9). The average value of the pixel signals of oneline corresponds to the amount of R component in the photographingoperation. Note that the completion of the reading operation iscontrolled by counting the pulse signals used for driving the linesensor 44.

In Step 214, the counter "COUNT" is increased by the increment of one.When it is determined in Step 215 that the value of the counter "COUNT"is not greater than 3, the process returns to Step 204, and thus theoperations described above are again executed.

When the counter "COUNT" is set to 2, the electro-developing recordingmedium 30 is stopped at a position where a portion, which is included inthe data area 30b and corresponds to the G-filter element of the secondcolor filter 54, faces the line sensor 44 (references S41 and S42 inFIG. 9). In this state, the electric charge accumulation is carried out(reference S43 in FIG. 9), and thus, pixel signals corresponding to theamount of exposure of G component formed in the data area 30b are readfrom the line sensor 44 (reference S44 in FIG. 9). When the counter"COUNT" is set to 3, the electro-developing recording medium 30 isstopped at a position where a portion, which is included in the dataarea 30b and corresponds to the B-filter element of the second colorfilter 54, faces the line sensor 44 (references S45 and S46 in FIG. 9).In this state, the electric charge accumulation is carried out(reference S47 in FIG. 9), and thus, pixel signals corresponding to theamount of exposure of B component formed in the data area 30b are readfrom the line sensor 44 (reference S48 in FIG. 9).

Thus, the pixel signals corresponding to the amount of exposure of R, G,and B components, i.e., information needed for the white balanceadjustment are read through the line sensor 44. Then, it is determinedin Step 215 that the value of the counter "COUNT" is greater than 3, andin Step 221 and in the following steps, the image recorded in therecording area 30a of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is readtherefrom.

In Step 221, the scan drive motor is rotated in the forward direction,so that the electro-developing recording medium 30 starts to move in thedirection of the arrow A marked in FIG. 3 (reference S51 in FIG. 9). InStep 222, based on the pixel signals corresponding to the transmittancesof each of the data areas of R Images, G, and B components, readinggains of R- and B- images, i.e., G/R and G/B are calculated. Namely, thereading gains are set based on the G component, so that the gain ofcolor component, in which the amount of exposure is relatively large, issmall, and the gain of the color component, in which the amount ofexposure is relatively small, is large, and thus the balance of thecolor temperature is adjusted. The gain of the G-component is 1.

In Step 223, it is determined whether the reading start portion of theelectro-developing recording medium 30 has been set to face the linesensor 44. The reading start portion is the end portion which isincluded in the recording area 30a and is positioned closest to the dataarea 30b. When it is confirmed that the reading start portion faces theline sensor 44, the process goes from Step 223 to Step 224, in which themovement of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is stopped(reference S52 FIG. 9). Then, the exposure of the line sensor 44 isstarted in Step 225 so that the electric charge accumulation is carriedout (reference S53 FIG. 9). When it is confirmed in Step 226 that theexposure of the line sensor 44 has been completed, by sensing that apredetermined constant time has passed, the reading operation of theline sensor 44 is started in Step 227, and thus, pixel signals of oneline begin to be outputted through the line sensor 44 (reference S54).Then, in Step 228, a drive signal for rotating the scan drive motor inthe forward direction is outputted, so that the electro-developingrecording medium 30 starts to move.

The reading operation of the line sensor 44 is performed for every line,which is extended in a vertical direction in FIG. 6. Therefore, thepixel signals are outputted from the line sensor 44 in the order of G,B, G, B, . . . or R, G, R, G, . . . in accordance with the line that isin-line with the line sensor 44.

During the movement of the electro-developing recording medium 30, whenthe completion of the reading operation of the line sensor 44 is notconfirmed in Step 229, Step 251 is executed, so that the gain isselected in accordance with the color of the pixel signal which is beingoutputted from the line sensor 44. Namely, when that color is red, thegain (G/R) is selected, when that color is green, the gain (1) isselected, and when that color is blue, the gain (G/B) is selected. Then,in Step 252, the pixel signal is multiplied by the selected gain, and isstored in the memory 64. Namely, the pixel signal which has beensubjected to the white balance adjustment is stored in the memory 64. InStep 231, it is confirmed whether the line sensor 44 has been set at theposition of the next scanning line, i.e., the next reading position.When the line sensor 44 has not been set at the position of the nextscanning line, the process returns to Step 229.

Conversely, when it is confirmed in Step 229 that the reading operationof the line sensor 44 has been completed, the reading operation isstopped in Step 230 and the storing operation in which the pixel signalsare stored in the memory 64 is stopped. Then, the process goes to Step231.

When it is confirmed in Step 231 that the line sensor 44 has been set atthe position of the next scanning line, the movement of theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is stopped in Step 232 (referenceS55 FIG. 9). Then, in Step 233, the completion of the reading operationof the line sensor 44 is confirmed, in the same way as for Step 229.Namely, when the completion of the reading operation is not confirmed,Step 253 is executed, so that the gain is selected in accordance withthe color of the pixel signal, and in Step 254, the pixel signal ismultiplied by the selected gain, and is stored in the memory 64.Conversely, when the completion of the reading operation is confirmed,the process goes from Step 233 to Step 234, in which the readingoperation and the storing operation to the memory 64 are stopped.

Thus, even when the loop composed of Steps 229, 230, 231, 251, and 252is ended without executing Step 230, the reading operation of the linesensor 44 is completed in Step 234.

In Step 235, it is determined whether the reading operation for all ofthe scanning lines has been completed, by counting the value of acounter which has been counted in Step 232. The number of all of thescanning lines may be 2000, for example. When the reading operation ofall of the scanning lines has not been completed, the process returns toStep 225, and the operations of Steps 225 through 235 described aboveare repeated.

When all of the scanning lines have been read out, the process goes fromStep 235 to Step 236. In Step 236, the drive power source of the linesensor 44 is turned OFF, and in Step 237, the light source 42 is turnedOFF. In Step 238, the pixel signals stored in the memory 64 aresubjected to an image processing such as an image compression, andrecorded in a recording medium mounted in the image recording device 67.In Step 239, the scan drive motor is driven so that theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is fed through the slot formed inthe camera body 11. When it is confirmed in Step 240 that theelectro-developing recording medium 30 has been ejected outside of thecamera body 11, the scan drive motor is stopped in Step 241, and thisprogram ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the information needed forthe white balance adjustment is recorded in the data area 30b of theelectro-developing recording medium 30, as optical information. Further,when the color image recorded in the electro-developing recording medium30 is read through the line sensor 44, the optical information (i.e.,the white balance information of R, G, and B) is read from theelectro-developing recording medium 30, so that the gains G/R and G/B ofthe white balance adjustment are calculated. When pixel signals of eachscanning line, which forms a part of the image, are stored in the memory64, these gains are multiplied by the pixel signals. Therefore, acircuit such as a white balance signal processing circuit for carryingout the white balance adjustment does not need to be provided in thecamera body 11, and thus the circuit construction provided in the camerabody 11 can be simplified.

Furthermore, since the white balance adjusting device is constructed insuch a manner that the color image recorded in the recording area 30a isread after the optical information for the white balance adjustment isread, it is not necessary that the pixel signals are once stored in amemory, and then are multiplied by the gain, which would be acomplicated process.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the electro-developing type camera towhich a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. Note thatthe external view of the electro-developing type camera of the secondembodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 1.

In the second embodiment, the aperture 12a provided in the photographingoptical system 12 is opened and closed by an iris drive circuit 24.Namely, when an exposure is controlled, the degree of opening of theaperture 12a is adjusted by the iris drive circuit 24 under the controlof the exposure control circuit 27 based on a signal outputted by thephotometry sensor 28.

A color filter 91 is provided in front of the electro-developingrecording medium 30. The color filter 91 has R-, G-, and B-filterelements, which are arranged in accordance with a checkerboardarrangement shown in FIG. 6.

A scanner optical system 43 is provided aft of the electro-developingrecording medium 30, and not split into two parts as in the firstembodiment, shown in FIG. 2.

The other constructions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a structure, which is provided close to aportion where the photographing optical system 12 and theelectro-developing recording medium 30 are provided, when viewing fromthe view-finder optical system 23 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 14 is a viewshowing the photographing optical system 12 when viewing from theelectro-developing recording medium 30.

As shown in these drawings, an opening 92 is formed in a portion closeto the photographing optical system 12 and facing the shutter 22, andfirst and second illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 are fixed beside theopening 92. These illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 are provided forradiating a flash light onto the electro-developing recording medium 30in a photographing operation. The first illumination mechanism 93radiates a flash light having a first color temperature, and the secondillumination mechanism 94 radiates a flash light having a second colortemperature which is different from the first color temperature.Diffusers 93a and 94a are provided on the radiating surfaces of thefirst and second illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 so that the flashlights are uniformly radiated on the light receiving surface of theelectro-developing recording medium 30. As shown in FIG. 14, the firstand second illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 are extended in parallel toeach other, and the lengths of the illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 areapproximately the same as that of the opening 92.

FIG. 15 shows an external view of the first and second illuminationmechanisms 93 and 94. As shown in this drawing, the diffusers 93a and94a are provided over the entire length of housings 93b and 94b of theillumination mechanisms 93 and 94. In each of the housings 93b and 94b,a xenon lamp (not shown), which radiates a flash light, is housed.

FIG. 16 shows a positional relationship between the first and secondillumination mechanisms 93 and 94 and the other members. Theseillumination mechanisms 93 and 94 are positioned between thephotographing optical system 12 and the quick return mirror 21 in such amanner that the rotation of the quick return mirror 21 is not disturbed.

FIG. 17 shows an electronic flash device 70 including the first andsecond illumination mechanisms 93 and 94, and a circuit for controllingthe radiating operation of the electronic flash device 70.

A photometry sensor 90 is composed of a photoelectric conversion elementsuch as a photodiode, for example. The photometry sensor 90 receives alight (F1), which is radiated by the electronic flash device 70 andreflected by the electro-developing recording medium 30, and light (S)corresponding to the object image, which is formed through thephotographing optical system 12, and photoelectrically converts thelights (F1) and (S), so that a luminance on the light receiving surfaceof the electro-developing recording medium 30 is sensed. A colorimetrysensor 29 is a so-called white balance sensor, and is composed of aplurality of photoelectric conversion elements in which thesensitivities for the visible light spectra are different from eachother. An output signal of the colorimetry sensor 29 is subjected to apredetermined process in a color temperature calculation circuit 84, sothat the color temperature of ambient light (E1) around an object (SB)to be photographed is obtained. This color temperature data is inputtedinto the system control circuit 20, so that the color temperature of thelight radiated by the electronic flash device 70 is determined based onthe color temperature data.

The photometry sensor 90 is connected to an integrating circuit 81, andthus, a signal photoelectrically converted by the photometry sensor 90is integrated in accordance with an integration start signal (Ti)inputted from the system control circuit 20. The integrating circuit 81is connected to the system control circuit 20 through a comparator 82,and a D/A converter 83 is connected to the comparator 82. In thecomparator 82, a value of an electric voltage (i.e., a signal T2)outputted by the D/A converter 83 is compared with an integration valueoutputted by the integrating circuit 81, and the result of thecomparison is outputted as a quench signal (T3) to the system controlcircuit 20. The flash radiations of xenon lamps 95 and 96 are stoppedbased upon the quench signal (T3). Note that the first and second xenonlamps 95 and 96 are housed in the housings 93b and 94b.

The electronic flash device 70 is connected to the system controlcircuit 20. Starting and stopping of the radiations of the xenon lamps95 and 96 of the electronic flash device 70 are controlled by the systemcontrol circuit 20. The amount of radiation of each xenon lamp 95 and 96is controlled independently. The first xenon lamp 95 radiates a flashlight having a relatively low color temperature, and an outer surface ofthe first xenon lamp 95 is coated with an amber-colored filter. Thesecond xenon lamp 96 radiates a flash light having a relatively highcolor temperature, and the outer surface of the second xenon lamp 96 iscoated with a blue-colored filter. Monochroic liquid crystal filters 97and 98 of guest-host type are provided in front of the xenon lamps 95and 96. The density of the filters 97 and 98 are changed in accordancewith the amplitude of the voltage applied thereto, and are controlled byfilter control circuits 71 and 72, which are operated based on a controlsignal outputted from the system control circuit 20.

A first signal line Al extended from an electric charge circuit 73 isconnected to a positive electrode of a main capacitor 74, a resistor 75,and anodes of the xenon lamps 95 and 96. A second signal line A2extended from the electric charge circuit 73 is connected to a negativeelectrode of the main capacitor 74, a common terminal of a triggertransformer 76, and an emitter of an insulated gate bipolar modetransistor (IGBT) 77. An impulse voltage is applied to the maincapacitor 74 by the electric charge circuit 73 through the first signalline A1, so that electric charges are accumulated in the main capacitor74. A low-voltage coil of the trigger transformer 76 is connected to afirst terminal of the resistor 75 through a trigger capacitor 78. Thefirst terminal of the resistor 75 is connected to the cathode terminalsof the xenon lamps 95 and 96.

The base of the IGBT 77 is connected to the system control circuit 20,so that the IGBT 77 is turned ON by a radiation trigger signal (T4)outputted from the system control circuit 20, and thus an electriccurrent flows from the collector of the IGBT 77 to the emitter of theIGBT 77. As a result, the electric charges accumulated in the triggercapacitor 78 are discharged, so that an electric current flows into thelow-voltage coil of the trigger transformer 76, and thus a trigger pulseis generated in the high-voltage coil thereof. This trigger pulse isapplied to each of the trigger electrodes of the xenon lamps 95 and 96.As a result, the electric charges accumulated in the main capacitor 74are discharged, and thus the xenon lamps 95 and 96 radiate theelectronic flashes (F2) and (F3).

The release switch 14 provided on the camera body 11 is connected to thesystem control circuit 20, and various kinds of operations are carriedout in accordance with the handling of the release switch 14. Data usedfor determining the densities of the monochroic liquid crystal filters97 and 98 is stored in a memory 20a provided in the system controlcircuit 20.

FIG. 18 shows a connecting condition among the photometry sensor 90, theintegrating circuit 81, the comparator 82, and the D/A converter 83. Theintegrating circuit 81 has an operational amplifier 81a, an integratingcapacitor 81b, and a reset switch 81c. The photometry sensor 90 has aphotodiode, which is connected between the inverting input terminal andthe non inverting input terminal which are provided in the operationalamplifier 81a. A reference power supply 81d is connected to the noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 81a. The referencepower supply 81d outputs an electric voltage the value of whichcorresponds to the initial value when the operational amplifier 81astarts the integration.

The integrating capacitor 81b and the reset switch 81c are connected inparallel to each other between the non inverting input and the outputterminals of the operational amplifier 81a, so that the reset switch 81cis controlled to open and close in accordance with the integration startsignal (T1) inputted from the system control circuit 20. When the resetswitch 81c is open, a photoelectric current generated in the photometrysensor 90 is integrated by the operational amplifier 81a. The outputterminal of the operational amplifier 81a is connected to the invertinginput terminal of the comparator 82.

The D/A converter 83 is connected to the non inverting input terminal ofthe comparator 82, in which the value of the voltage signal (T2)outputted by the D/A converter 83 is compared with the value of thevoltage signal (T5) outputted by the operational amplifier 81a. When thevalue of the voltage signal (T5) becomes lower than the value of thevoltage signal (T2), a quench signal (T3) is outputted from thecomparator 82 to the system control circuit 20. Note that the value ofthe voltage signal (T2), i.e., a proper exposure value, is obtained bydigital data inputted into the D/A converter 83 from the system controlcircuit 20, in which the value of the voltage signal (T2) is set inaccordance with a proper exposure value setting process as describedlater.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing a photographing operation of thesecond embodiment, and FIGS. 20A through 20C are flow charts of aprogram for performing the photographing operation. With reference tothese drawings, operations of the second embodiment are described below.

This program is started when the release switch 14 is turned ON(reference S61 FIG. 9). In Step 301, the quantity of light reflected bythe object (SB) is detected based on the photometry data obtained by thephotometry sensor 28, so that the photometry value is sensed. In Step302, the colorimetry value, i.e., data corresponding to the colortemperature of the ambient light around the object (SB), is sensed basedon the signal outputted by the colorimetry sensor 29. In Step 303, anexposure calculation is started based on the photometry value (referenceS62). In Step 304, a colorimetry calculation is started based on thecolorimetry value (reference S63 FIG. 9). In Step 305, a recordingmedium activating signal is outputted (reference S64 FIG. 9) so that anelectric voltage is applied to the electro-developing recording medium30.

It is determined in Step 306 whether the exposure calculation has beencompleted, and it is determined in Step 307 whether the colorimetrycalculation has been completed. When the colorimetry calculation has notbeen completed, Steps 306 and 307 are executed until the colorimetrycalculation is completed. When the colorimetry calculation has beencompleted, the process goes from Step 307 to Step 308, in which it isdetermined whether the exposure calculation has been completed. Thus,the exposure calculation and the colorimetry calculation are completed,and then, the process goes to Step 311, so that the quantity of theflash light radiated on the electro-developing recording medium 30 iscontrolled.

In Step 311, data regarding the densities of the monochroic liquidcrystal filters 97 and 98 are read from the memory 20a (reference S65FIG. 9). When it is confirmed in Step 312 that the reading operation ofthe density data has been completed, Step 313 is executed in which anelectric voltage having a predetermined amount is applied to each of themonochroic liquid crystal filters 97 and 98 based on the density data(reference S66). Thus, the densities (i.e., transmittance) of themonochroic liquid crystal filters 97 and 98 are set to predeterminedvalues in accordance with the color temperature. In Step 314, the degreeof the opening of the aperture 12a is set to a value in accordance withthe result of the exposure calculation (reference S67 in FIG. 19), andthe quick return mirror 21 is changed from the down condition to the upcondition (reference S68 in FIG. 19). When it is confirmed in Step 315that the quick return mirror 21 has been changed to the up condition andthe degree of opening of the aperture 12a has been adjusted, the shutter22 is fully opened in Step 316 (reference S69 in FIG. 19).

In Step 317, the maximum radiation times of the xenon lamps 95 and 96are set by timer, and the operation of the timer is started. In Step318, the reset signal (Ti) is inputted into the integrating circuit 81,and thus, the output of the integration value of the integrating circuit81 is reset. In Step 319, in order to perform the control of adjustmentof the flash light of the electronic flash device 70, the properexposure value, which is digital data, corresponding to each of thexenon lamps 95 and 96, is outputted to the D/A converter 83, in whichthe proper exposure value is converted into an analog signal (T2), andoutputted to the comparator 82.

In Step 320, the output of the reset signal (Ti) is stopped inaccordance with the fully open state of the shutter 22, and thus theresetting condition of the integrating circuit 81 is released. As aresult, the photoelectric current generated in the photometry sensor 90is integrated with time by the operational amplifier 81a. At the sametime when the integration is started, the radiation trigger signal (T4)is outputted to the IGBT 77 in Step 321, so that the IGBT 77 is turnedON. As a result, the trigger voltage is applied to each of the triggerelectrodes of the xenon lamps 95 and 96, and thus, flash lights areradiated by the xenon lamps 95 and 96 (reference S70 in FIG. 19).

Due to this flash light, the light (F1) reflected by theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is increased. Thus, when theintegration value outputted by the integrating circuit 81 reaches thevalue of the signal (T2), i.e., the proper exposure value, the quenchsignal (T3) is outputted by the comparator 82. When it is confirmed inStep 322 that the quench signal (T3) has been outputted, the output ofthe radiation trigger signal (T4) is stopped in Step 324, so that theIGBT 77 is turned OFF, and thus, the radiations of the xenon lamps 95and 96 are stopped. When it is not confirmed in Step 322 that the quenchsignal (T3) has been outputted, it is determined in Step 323 whether thetime counted by the timer has elapsed the predetermined maximumradiation time. When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processreturns to Step 322, so that the output of the quench signal (T3) isre-checked. Conversely, when a predetermined time has not elapsed, Step324 is executed in which the output of the radiation trigger signal (T4)is compulsorily stopped. By the stopping of the output of the radiationtrigger signal (T4), the IGBT 77 is turned OFF, so that the radiationsof the xenon lamps 95 and 96 are stopped. Then, the timer is stopped inStep 325, and thus the radiation controls for the xenon lamps 95 and 96are stopped (reference S71).

When the exposure period determined by the exposure calculation, whichis started in Step 303, has passed and it is sensed in Step 326 that theexposure has been completed, the shutter 22 is closed in Step 322(reference S72). By the completion of the closing operation of theshutter 22, Step 328 is executed so that the quick return mirror 21 ischanged to the down condition (reference S73), and the aperture 12a isfully opened (reference S74). In Step 329, the output of the recordingmedium activating signal is stopped (reference S75), and the voltageapplications to the monochroic liquid crystal filters 97 and 98 arestopped (reference S76).

Namely, the recording medium activating signal is outputted at least forthe period while the shutter 22 is opened, and during this period, apredetermined voltage is applied to the electro-developing recordingmedium 30. Then, by exposing the electro-developing recording medium 30under the voltage applied condition, the object image is developed onthe electro-developing recording medium 30 as a visible object image.This visible object image is kept even if the output of the recordingmedium activating signal is stopped. Thus, the object image which hasbeen subjected to the white balance adjustment is stored in theelectro-developing recording medium 30.

When it is confirmed in Step 330 that the quick return mirror 21 and theaperture 12a have returned to the initial positions, the operations ofthe quick return mirror 21 and the aperture 12a are stopped in Step 331,and thus the program of the recording operation ends.

FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between the color temperatureof the ambient light (E1) and differential color signals (R-Y,B-Y) of animage recorded in the electro-developing recording medium 30. Withreference to this drawing, a control of the white balance adjustmentcarried out by the electronic flash device 70, i.e., a control of thedensities of the monochroic liquid crystal filters 97 and 98 will bedescribed.

The higher the color temperature of the ambient light (E1), the lowerthe output level of the differential color signal (R-Y), and the higherthe output level of the differential color signal (B-Y). The outputlevels of the differential color signals (R-Y) and (B-Y) become equal toeach other when the color temperature of the ambient light (E1) is equalto the reference value (K1) (4700° K., for example), and in such a case,the color temperature of light radiated by the electronic flash device70 is set to the reference value (K1).

When the color temperature (K2) of the ambient light (E1) is lower thanthe reference value (K1), the output level of the differential colorsignal (R-Y) becomes relatively high. In this case, the colortemperature (K) of light radiated by the electronic flash device 70 isset to a value higher than the reference value (K1) by a predeterminedvalue, so that the color temperature of the light (F1) reflected by theelectro-developing recording medium 30 is adjusted to the referencevalue (K1). To be concrete, when the ambient light (E1) is reddish, theelectronic flash device 70 is controlled in such a manner that theamount of blue flash light is larger than the amount of amber flashlight, so that the density of the liquid crystal filter 97 is reduced(i.e., large transmittance), and the density of the liquid crystalfilter 98 is increased (i.e., small transmittance), and thus, the colortone of the image developed by the electro-developing recording medium30 is so adjusted.

Similarly, when the color temperature (K2) of the ambient light (E1) ishigher than the reference value (K1), the color temperature (K3) oflight radiated by the electronic flash device 70 is set to a value lowerthan the reference value (K1) by a predetermined value.

The adjustments of the color temperatures of the flash lights arecarried out by adjusting the densities of the liquid crystal filters 97and 98 disposed in front of the xenon lamps 95 and 96. For thisadjustment, information showing the relationship between the colortemperature of the ambient light and the densities of the liquid crystalfilter 97 and 98 is stored in the memory 20a of the system controlcircuit 20.

Namely, when the color temperature of the ambient light (E1) isobtained, the memory 20a is accessed based on the color temperatureinformation so that the density data of the monochroic liquid crystalfilters 97 and 98 is read. In the filter control circuits 71 and 72, thecontrol voltages which are to be applied to the filters 97 and 98 areset based on the density data, and thus, the density of each of thefilters 97 and 98 is controlled to a predetermined value, respectively.As a result, the amount of light passing through each of the filters 97and 98 is controlled, and thus, the color temperature of light, which isa combination of light radiated by the xenon lamps 95 and 96, isadjusted.

As described above, the white balance adjusting device of the secondembodiment is constructed in such a manner that the flash light, whichis controlled in accordance with the color temperature of the ambientlight, is radiated onto the electro-developing recording medium 30.Therefore, an image, which is subjected to a white balance adjustment,is developed by the electro-developing recording medium 30, andtherefore, after the image is read through the line sensor 44, the whitebalance adjustment does not need to be performed for the image. Namely,according to the second embodiment, a circuit such as a white balancesignal processing circuit, which converts the output signal of the whitebalance sensor to color temperature information, and carries out thewhite balance adjustment based on the color temperature information,does not need to be mounted in the electro-developing type camera. Thus,the electric circuit construction in the camera becomes simple.

Further, according to the second embodiment, in the photographingoperation, since the electro-developing recording medium 30 isilluminated by the electronic flash device 70, it is prevented that adark portion included in the image formed on the electro-developingrecording medium 30 becomes unclear due to lack of gradation of the darkportion.

FIGS. 22 through 24 show a main part of a third embodiment. FIG. 22 is aview showing a structure, which is provided to a portion where thephotographing optical system 12 and the electro-developing recordingmedium 30 are provided, when viewing from the view-finder optical system23 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 23 is a view showing a positional relationship ofthe first and second illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 and the othercomponents. FIG. 24 is a view showing an external view of the first andsecond illumination mechanisms 93 and 94.

As understood from these drawings, the first and second illuminationmechanisms 93 and 94 are in contact with each other, and are disposedunder a pellicle mirror 99 which is a half mirror. The longitudinaldirection of each of the illumination mechanisms 93 and 94 is verticalto the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12.

The pellicle mirror 99 cannot rotate, in contrast to the quick returnmirror 21 which is provided in the second embodiment. A part of thelight passing through the photographing optical system 12 passes throughthe pellicle mirror 99, and is led to the electro-developing recordingmedium 30. The remaining part of the light passing through thephotographing optical system 12 is reflected by the pellicle mirror 99,and is led to the view-finder 23. In the photographing operation,similarly to the second embodiment, the first and second illuminatingmechanisms 93 and 94 are operated, and the illumination lights reflectedby the pellicle mirror 99 are led to the electro-developing recordingmedium 30.

The other constructions and operations of the white balance adjustingdevice of the third embodiment are the same as those of the secondembodiment. Thus, according to the third embodiment, the same effects asin the second embodiment are obtained.

Note that the electro-developing recording medium 30 is not restrictedto the construction described above, but can be any medium in which animage is developed electronically.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedherein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously manymodifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in JapanesePatent Application no. 8-29939 (filed on Jan. 24, 1996) and no. 8-31314(filed on Jan. 25, 1996) which are expressly incorporated herein, byreference, in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electro-developing recording medium by which acolor image formed thereon is electronically developed, comprising:arecording area for recording said color image; a data area for recordingan amount of exposure of each color component of a plurality ofpredetermined color components included in said color image, said dataarea being provided outside of said recording area; and said amount ofexposure of each color component of said plurality of predeterminedcolor components included in said color image being the sole source ofimage data for white balance adjustment.
 2. An electro-developingrecording medium according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined colorcomponents are red, green, and blue.
 3. An electro-developing recordingmedium according to claim 1, wherein said electro-developing recordingmedium comprises an electrostatic information recording mediumgenerating an electric charge in accordance with an image formedthereon, and an electric charge storage medium which generates a visibleimage in accordance with said electric charge and which can hold saidvisible image, said recording area and said data area being formed insaid electric charge storage medium.
 4. An electro-developing recordingmedium according to claim 1, wherein said electric charge storage mediumcomprise a liquid crystal display having a memory-type liquid crystal.